New Zealand Children Take Part in World Wish Day

New Zealand Children Take Part in World Wish Day

This Thursday 29th April, four children with life-threatening medical conditions from around New Zealand will have their wishes come true, coinciding with wishes being granted in 34 other countries around the world.

This inaugural global day of wish granting marks the 30th anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of Make-A-Wish. Thirty years ago a 7-year-old boy with leukaemia, Chris Greicius dreamed to be a police officer. His wish came true on 29 April 1980, inspiring the creation of the largest wish-granting organisation in the world.*

Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition every 25 minutes and has granted more than 240,000 wishes since 1980. Each year, more than 30,000 volunteers generously give their time, talents and energy to help bring wishes come true for children around the globe.

Three wish recipients will depart from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports to embark on a trip of a lifetime to the Gold Coast as part of New Zealand's World Wish Day celebrations.

Wish enhancements have been organised by the Make-A-Wish volunteers in New Zealand to guarantee the children will have an extra-special time. Becky Bonaccorsi (8 years) wanted to meet Spongebob Square Pants and will get her chance to do this as he farewells her at Auckland Airport. Ruby Pavey (5 years) is a major fan of Bindi Irwin so will be visiting the Australia Zoo and will be decked out in Bindi merchandise as she depart from Christchurch and Chase Nepia (6 years) and his family will arrive at Wellington airport in a limousine.

Another wish includes a home entertainment system for 10-year-old Credence Hita from Manurewa, who will have a surprise visit from his idol, J Williams

This is one of many celebrations taking place around the world to mark 30 years of wish giving for Make-A-Wish International, a charity that grants the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions.

"Through the granting of a wish each child has the chance to escape their difficult and often painful reality, even if it's only for a short time," says Make-A-Wish New Zealand CEO Scott Simpson. "We feel privileged to have been able to bring the magic and joy experienced by the first wish child, to Kiwi children for so many years."

Make-A-Wish New Zealand is a nonprofit organisation that relies solely on money raised from special events, donations from the public, and sponsors. They also rely on in kind donations from loyal supporters such as Air New Zealand. Wishes are only made possible through the continued help and support of everyday New Zealanders.

On Friday, CB Richard Ellis’ property management staff will walk 10 kilometres to raise money for Make-A-Wish. More than 800 people will take part in the main city centres across Australasia.

World Wish Day takes place on 29th April. To learn more on how you can support Make-A-Wish New Zealand please visit www.makeawish.org.nz <http://www.makeawish.org.nz> and www.worldwishday.org

ENDS

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